Report: Bullpen coach Tuck to leave Red Sox

Tuesday

Jan 29, 2013 at 8:29 PM

According to multiple reports, Gary Tuck will not be the bullpen coach for the Red Sox this season. The 58-year-old Tuck would have been the only holdover from the staff of Bobby Valentine -- and, for that matter, the last coaching staff of Terry Fra

Brian MacPherson Journal Sports Writer brianmacp

According to multiple reports, Gary Tuck will not be the bullpen coach for the Red Sox this season. The 58-year-old Tuck would have been the only holdover from the staff of Bobby Valentine -- and, for that matter, the last coaching staff of Terry Francona.

Tuck was away from the Red Sox at times last season for personal reasons, and he underwent hernia surgery during spring training. He is well-regarded by many -- including John Farrell, who made the decision to retain Tuck when assembling his staff -- as a top instructor of catchers.

The leading internal candidate to replace Tuck as Farrell's bullpen coach would figure to be minor-league coach, manager and catching coordinator Chad Epperson, A more intriguing candidate would be special assistant to the general manager Jason Varitek, who swore by Tuck and his catching drills during his decorated Red Sox career.

Twitter: @brianmacp

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